11 July 2004

NATO Ships visit Novorossijsk, Russia from 7-11 July 2004 HMS NEWCASTLE, Destroyer, United Kingdom TCG GOKCEADA, Frigate, Turkey HS ELLI, Frigate, Greece These ships from NATO’s Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED) berthed at the port of Novorossijsk, from 7-11 July 2004. The Commander of the Force, Rear Admiral Hans-Jochen Witthauer, German Navy, exchanged calls with local civil and military authorities. An extensive programme of briefings and ship tours were arranged for Russian and local embassy officials involving Russian Navy Officers, Defence Attaches accredited to Russia and Embassy staffs. The ships’ crews were in turn offered a cultural programme, visiting some of the highlights of the city of Novorossijsk and the surrounding area. This visit forms part of the NATO-Russia Work Programme through which NATO member states and Russia regularly consult on current security issues and are developing practical cooperation in a wide area of common interest. Port visits of this nature are conducted for two main reasons: firstly for officials and the public of the countries we visit to have the opportunity to learn more about NATO’s activities and to see the ships involved, while our crews gain a better understanding of the culture of the visited country and conduct professional exchanges with the hosting military. Secondly to enable the ships and their crews to consolidate after busy periods of operations and exercises at sea. STANAVFORMED would like to visit as many ports as possible, and our long-term planning envisages further visits to Russia as well as to other non-NATO ports. STANAVFORMED was established as a NATO immediate reaction force in Naples (Italy) on 30 April 1992. Since its activation it has participated in NATO peace support operations related to the crises in the former republic of Yugoslavia and more recently, Operation Active Endeavour, NATO’s maritime contribution to the fight against terrorism. The ships of the force rotate and its routine activities consist of an intensive programme of training and participation in both NATO and national exercises. Nations normally contributing to STANAVFORMED are Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. More information about STANAVFORMED is available at the page http://www.afsouth.nato.int/FACTSHEETS/stanavformed.htm More information about Operation Active Endeavour is available at the page http://www.afsouth.nato.int/JFCN_Operations/ActiveEndeavour/Endeavour.htm